A strange sport, almost unique to Iran is Zurkhaneh (which means House of Strength) and which dates back thousands of years. Its a strange mix of Sufism, the rituals of Mithraism combined with Heroism. Many of the exercises are developed from ways to strengthen soliders. The exercises take place within a lowered put while the leader (sat at the back) pounds out a drumbeat or plays a flute-like instrument and quotes poetry by Hafez!